Liverpool faced a tough battle in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening.
After more than two months, the Reds finally had a game in hand, and a win would have put them nine points clear in the Premier League rankings.
Things did not start well for Liverpool, though, with Everton anxious to take advantage of a hostile atmosphere at Goodison.
And, just like last season, the Toffees took a first-half lead.
This time, Everton’s Beto delivered, sneaking in between the Reds’ defence and firing past Alisson Becker.
However, as Ally McCoist pointed out on TNT Sports commentary, the goal was extremely fortuitous for Everton.
Ally McCoist points out Michael Oliver’s mistake.
Liverpool had a dreadful start to Wednesday’s encounter. At Goodison, we fell behind within 10 minutes.
Arne Slot’s team made no excuses for their defense. Nobody saw Jarrad Branthwaite’s fast free kick, and Beto finished far too easily.
However, there was a strong argument that the free kick should not have been awarded in the first place.
Iliman Ndiaye emerged victorious, ghosting away from Alexis Mac Allister and colliding with the ground.
However, footage clearly indicated that Mac Allister made no touch with the Everton player. Looking back, McCoist agreed that Liverpool had a right to be upset.
“They’ve got a point there,” observed the co-commentator. “It looks like Michael Oliver got that one wrong.”
Pundits dispute on Reds’ free kick,
McCoist was spot on. There was no touch whatsoever. Ndiaye purchased the foul, and Oliver fell for it.
And when the pundits gathered to argue at halftime, the Red and Blue corners of the studio disagreed. Surprise surprise.
“I think when you slow it down, it doesn’t look like there’s much contact, but we see these free kicks every week,” remarked former Everton captain Phil Jagielka. “He’s drawn the foul.”
“It wasn’t a free-kick,” said Steve McManaman. “But they’re not concerned; throw-ins, free kicks, and corners can all be used against you. “They should have defended better.”
On the money, Macca.
